Somali Electorates in Ohio May Decide Winner

The United States presidential election is very close and both challengers agree that one of the swing states, Ohio will decide who will be the winner. Both candidates believe that Ohio will play a crucial part in selecting the President of the US. Therefore we can see political campaigns by either of the challengers almost every day. Ohio is considered as a microcosm of the U with its Democratic stronghold on Northeast cities of Akron, Cleveland, and Youngstown, and its Republican monopoly of Southern Ohio. The City of Columbus being the part of Central Ohio is considered as the truly swing sector of Ohio, selecting the next leader of the US. Columbus is the 2nd largest community in North America.

The recent opinion polls show a tight competition with a slight benefit for the President Barack Obama just few days remaining for Nov 6. The battle is closely tied at 45percent for each GOP candidate Romney and Democratic leader Obama. The edge for Obama is explained by the slight distinction between the nominees among early casters, where 2/3rd of people casted ballots for Obama. The US comprising of about 18,000 Somalis in Central Ohio and this community of people will have a great impact on the 2012 US presidential election.

Many American-Somali electoral have already votes for the nominees for their choice and many more to ballot on or before November 6. Until now, the two contenders and their respective parties have responded to this true fact in different ways.

According to the Republican Party, their party has not done to reach out the Somali groups. Last year, one of the republican Ohio leaders told to Somali communist that they do not need their votes. This harsh statement isn’t just unfounded, but also risk as witnessed by the more than 2000 negative comment and angry statements that triggered in just 2 days. If no Republican has won the race without winning Ohio, it is true that no contender will win Ohio without the support from Somali voters.

Democratic Party and Obama’s campaign have established a strong presence in Ohio’s Somali group of people. Each time they run to Central Ohio, engaging the Somali groups by employing drivers, interpreters, campaign staff, associates, and consultants. But Somali groups feel that most of elected Democratic leaders come in supportive of their community and disappear soon and return back during re-election.